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Fire integrity of tower blocks must be made a priority, says safety charity, the Electrical Safety Council (ESC).

Commenting on a recent BBC report on the fire risks in London鈥檚 tower blocks, Phil Buckle, director general of the ESC said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 crucial that electrical work undertaken on behalf of council landlords is rigorously checked to ensure that fire regulations have not been breached, particularly in high-density accommodation buildings where the rapid spread of fire can have devastating consequences.鈥�

The BBC鈥檚 report uncovered a series of fire hazards in a tower block in Hounslow, west London, including holes bored through ceilings to accommodate electric cables, which would accelerate the spread of fire.

Phil Buckle said: 鈥淎 building鈥檚 structural performance during a fire can be seriously compromised by inadequate fire sealing and 鈥榤aking good鈥� after modifications that penetrate the walls and ceilings of a building, such as the installation of electrical cables.

鈥淢aintaining the structural fire protection in buildings and ensuring that fire regulations are met is crucial in preserving life in the event of a fire.鈥�